The authority of teachers is being undermined by a violent minority of schoolchildren, yet the authorities appear powerless to tackle the problem.

Unions say at least one teacher is being physically assaulted by a pupil every week - but fear the real figure may be even higher.

It is a disturbing state of affairs.

School powers of discipline have been eroded over the years which many people blame for the rise in pupil disorder. And it is this disorder which is having a damaging effect on the education of the majority of well-behaved pupils.

Teachers are now being told to record all incidents of classroom abuse. What is staggering is that these statistics have not been routinely compiled for years.

Anecdotal evidence gives the authorities little to go on; what is needed is a co-ordinated gathering of statistics. We welcome this move, but it is the methods of tackling this worrying rise in teacher assaults we are most concerned about.

As much as hardliners may want it, the cane will not be returning to the classroom. But if this violent trend in classroom behaviour is to be stamped out, a tougher policy on dealing with disruptive pupils must be found.